th her calm facade. "It's probably nothing, just a little

ust to be safe." The doctor met h

together, uncertainty

exam, her secret could be e

he doctor do his job. Even if you seem fine on the

..

voice trembling with emotion

woman gathered Aver

ought I'd see you again," sh

reathing, terrified her disguise would

still examining Avery," said Walte

turned to the physician. "Doctor,

appears to be stable for now. Walter mentioned he's experie

y replied, and then motioned for Walter to foll

, Avery let out a long breath, ten

ng through this examination

d, "There's no need to worry, ma'

d. She jumped off the bed, hand shooting

nd he let out a shaky laugh. "Please, c

ged into! Tell me what Ashton's really up to," A

le of, and he knew there would be

s leading us back to the Hudson family. But their power in Shoria is ironclad. No one on the outside can get close enough to expose the truth. The only

bitter and hollow. "I'd be amazed if I made it to the end of this mess w

octor produced a worn phot

ure and frowned. "What

Hudson famil

ight away. Her gaze lingered on the stern man with commandi

confidence. She guessed those were Phillip Huds

de. "Why hand me this p

. "See the resemblance? You match

She couldn't deny it-there was a real simila

ost son based on a bit of family likeness?" He

o the smallest detail. We even staged that car crash to give you a bel

rsing Ashton silently for d

me about the massacre of the Cooper family. Do

"I promise you, the Cooper family made their own bed. They cros

shoulders. Even in the underworld, th

ndsay wore a fierce expression, h

voice was sharp, eyes flashing. "Whoever dared

'll have to get involved. When we found the ones re

rprise. "Already handled? Who wo

till piecing things together. Right now, all sig

d, voice tinged with disbelief. "That's that new syndicate from Vrunron, right? P

he investigation quiet. Avery just came back, and he barely knows wh

been through enough as it is. We owe h

olve. "I promise, Mom.